Isaiah Chapter 13 · Verse 16

Authorized King James Version

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Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.

Original Language Analysis

וְעֹלְלֵיהֶ֥ם Their children H5768
וְעֹלְלֵיהֶ֥ם Their children
Strong's: H5768
Word #: 1 of 7
a suckling
יְרֻטְּשׁ֖וּ also shall be dashed to pieces H7376
יְרֻטְּשׁ֖וּ also shall be dashed to pieces
Strong's: H7376
Word #: 2 of 7
to dash down
לְעֵֽינֵיהֶ֑ם before their eyes H5869
לְעֵֽינֵיהֶ֑ם before their eyes
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 3 of 7
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יִשַּׁ֙סּוּ֙ shall be spoiled H8155
יִשַּׁ֙סּוּ֙ shall be spoiled
Strong's: H8155
Word #: 4 of 7
to plunder
בָּֽתֵּיהֶ֔ם their houses H1004
בָּֽתֵּיהֶ֔ם their houses
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 5 of 7
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וּנְשֵׁיהֶ֖ם and their wives H802
וּנְשֵׁיהֶ֖ם and their wives
Strong's: H802
Word #: 6 of 7
a woman
תִּשָּׁגַֽלְנָה׃ H7693
תִּשָּׁגַֽלְנָה׃
Strong's: H7693
Word #: 7 of 7
to copulate with

Analysis & Commentary

The horror intensifies: 'Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.' This describes war's most appalling atrocities—children murdered, property plundered, women violated. Modern readers recoil from such language, questioning how a loving God could decree such judgment. Yet several points must be considered:

  1. This describes the realities of ancient warfare, which God permits as consequence of sin.
  2. Babylon itself committed such atrocities against others, including God's people (Psalm 137:8-9).
  3. Judgment is proportional—they receive what they inflicted.
  4. This foreshadows the ultimate horror of final judgment separated from God.

Historical Context

Ancient warfare routinely involved such atrocities. Assyrian and Babylonian inscriptions boast of brutal treatment of conquered peoples. Psalm 137:8-9 records exiled Jews remembering Babylon's brutality: 'Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.' This is lex talionis—law of retaliation—they receive what they inflicted. When Babylon fell, such horrors may have occurred, though Daniel 5 suggests relatively quick conquest. The language primarily serves to emphasize judgment's comprehensiveness and the principle that sin brings its own horrific consequences.

Questions for Reflection